Raids and encounters: Target killer arrested

The suspect was associated with a political party and confessed to killing 14 persons.

KARACHI: An alleged target killer affiliated with a political party was detained along with nine other suspects during targeted operations and encounters in various parts of the metropolis on Tuesday.

Aziz Bhatti police claimed to have apprehended a suspect, Wajahat Ali, from near the Dalmia area in District East. Police officials said that they intercepted two men riding a motorcycle during snap-checks. DSP Nasir Lodhi said that the suspects opened fire at the police in an attempt to flee. Police fired back and after the exchange of fire, Ali was arrested while his accomplice managed to escape.

Police officials said that the accused revealed during initial interrogations that he was associated with a political party and used to live in the Brigade area. He also confessed to having killed around 14 workers of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and the Sunni Tehreek. A case has been registered and further investigations are underway.

Earlier, nine suspects were detained during an overnight targeted operation in the Patel Para area of Jamshed Quarters. The suspects were apprehended during a door-to-door search operation conducted by the Rangers after receiving a tip-off. Sources said that the detainees included members of banned outfits. Weapons were also seized from the possession of the suspects, who were shifted to an undisclosed location for questioning. The Rangers did not disclose their arrests.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2014.